This is the setup I ended up going with and I love it.

So, if anyone is still looking at this thread, what does the membership think about the Alta exhaust ??? Seems over priced ?? Quality or just another exhaust system in the choice of many out there ............

I have one on my 2006 MCS. In theory it should be lighter than others since it is one sided. When I bought mine the quality was poor and the warranty was one year. I believe there quality has improved (from what I've read) and that the warranty is longer now (how long?) I like how mine sounds. It is loud, but I am okay with that. Other than the quality issues I had, my only other complaint is I feel it drones a bit too much on the highway. If I were to replace it, I'd like at one of the 2 Borla models.

I have an 05 MCS and have the Alta exhaust as well. I also have an OBX racing header and deleted the CAT. My exhaust is a bit loud and "droning" on the highway, but all in all, I like it. I have the oval tip as well which gave it a different look. I have many Alta parts on my car and have always had great luck. Their customer services is great too! I had to have the resonator replaced initially due to a rattle. They replaced it no questions asked!

Thanks much for the Alta exhaust feedback.
I am still with the stock system but I like the low noise level.
The Alta looks clean and an easy install but just how loud is it over stock ???


I might have to go with a bigger system but that means paying out $ for the install.

From what I've read, Alta is one of the loudest exhausts.

Since Comcast discontinued users home pages, mine is only available on thewayback machine. Here are 3 articles I wrote on the Alta exhaust.
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...taexhaust.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...aexhaust2.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20151002...aexhaust3.html

I was told to add this here :) Vehicle is an '03 R53. Exhaust is an older Invidia system, stock header and cat.

Cat Back Exhaust
 

Here's a good example with instructions!

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME103...t-Back-R52-R53

http://new.minimania.com/NME1022_Cat..._MINI_Cooper_S

We also have Borla and Quicksilver:

http://new.minimania.com/Search_Results/cat%20back/All

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

Finally got something that looks like an exhaust after a coworker who's more of a talker than a doer did a shitty job to fit my Varex and a custom catback... The stock manifold cracked at the pre-cat not even a week after... I had to take my somewhat expensive Varex muffler to a welding shop to get it fixed. I had the middle section welded with a mig (not stainless), but I don't really mind since I plan on changing the manifold again in the near future (RMW since I plan on getting one of their head anyway). So right now, I have a OBX header, modified factory cat so it's 2.5" all the way, an 18" Vibrant resonator and XForce Varex muffler. I went with the Varex as I work in a city where there's that one cop that hunts anything modified. He even have his own modified coat hanger to stick in mufflers and see if there's baffles in there. So yeah, Varex was the logical choice for me. It's not cheap, but with the trap closed, it sounds like stock (at most like a One-Ball) and when it's open, well, it's not fully straight pipe, but it makes a bunch more noise. There might be a bit of raspiness due to a slightly leaking v-band.

Dinan Exhaust Video
 

Hey guys, I got a Dinan exhaust mounted on my '04 MCS. This is a video I took on my first dyno run with the exhaust mounted. Stock everything except for the exhaust, pulled 155hp/143lb-ft at the wheels.

That Dinan exhaust is super rare.

Best part about it is I got it for free (plus install/repair costs). A local Miniac was upgrading to a full Milltek exhaust and was giving it away (all of the welding downstream of the muffler needed to be redone).

That's cool. Cant beat that. Any of Dinan parts on it?

Nothing on mine except the exhaust right now. Would love to get enough parts to earn a Dinan badge though.

Avoid Ireland Engineering exhaust systems.

I bought one, had it on my car for 6 months and the thing is rusting. It is not just trivial surface rust either. Additionally, fitment is poor. Mine put the muffler too close to the rear bumper heat shield, resulting in the rear bumper cover getting melted the first race event the muffler saw.

Sound was good though. Little louder than stock.

Hey Guys,
Looking for information on the Magnaflow Header w/cat set up, that is found on WMW. I have an Invidia cat back and looking to finish it off with header and a cat. I can't find any videos or info on the Magnaflow headers, only their catback set ups. I want to make sure I'm simply not replacing stock, and if or any sound difference.

Last Friday my resonated MILTEK exhaust arrived from ECS Tuning. Saturday, with the car up on jack stands I began replacement of the OEM on my 03-MCS. It was worse off than I thought, with rust taking out the straps and seizing the forward, pre-cat bolts. After breaking both bolts off, I began putting on the new Miltek system and I must say that it fits like somebody actually took the time to ensure fitment. I've been driving for 4 x days now and I can't say enough good things about the system and the service at ECS Tuning to get that rascal to me. Damn, it drives a lot smoother than I thought but had multiple holes (rust) in the old system. Love it!

Has anybody covered a straight up muffler delete? I tried skimming but, you know, 32 pages happens to be a bit much. I have videos if it isn't in this thread.

I'd be interested in hearing the muffler delete!

Hay all
So all the info is Great and has taken the OP and everyone so long and time to produce. But it is all about how to get a louder car. Well mini is loud as it is.
Now I need to pick you all's brains. I have a 2009 MCS and I was catless until last week. Stage 2 manic about a year ago I had my muffler shop custom make a 2.5" exhust for me but I had the OEM S muffler it sounded good, about 7mo ago another muffler shop installed MF performance Muffler on the car that sounded louder but nice deep tone for a few weeks but it started getting unbearable after that the resonance inside the car drives me crazy it got to the point that I added 2 MF resanator but it was very little change, so 2weeks a go we removed one and added a 200cell cat in the quest for quieter car cool for the first 2 days then louder than before LOL.
So is there other than going back to cated DP. I know some smartie will say (price of power) option of good quiet muffler out there for me?
Thanks in advance
Ben

Have a Vibrant Ultra Quiet resonator installed wherever it can be fit in the exhaust system: https://smile.amazon.com/Vibrant-114...s%2C153&sr=8-1

If you have an RPM-specific drone after that, look up "helmholtz resonator" and follow the instructions to calculate pipe length and add that in wherever it can be fit along the exhaust system.

Thank you bud, may have to go that route.
Ben

RMW 1.8 stroker turbo conversion with mechanical rockers

Anybody have one of these? https://xforceusa.com/product/es-mini-01/. I have there header and i am very impressed so far. Thanks guys!

Is this the exhaust you have? https://xforceusa.com/product/es-mini-01/